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Trump’s back-and-forth on tariffs creates uncertainty, drives surge in gold prices

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Gold price rebounds toward record highs of $3,246 after the previous pullback.  Trump’s back-and-forth on tariffs creates uncertainty, underpinning Gold’s safe-haven appeal.Gold remains poised for a fresh leg higher on bullish technical setup on the daily chart.Gold price is bouncing back toward the record highs of $3,246 set on Monday as buyers fight back control despite a sense of calm across the financial markets early Tuesday.

This resurgence comes despite relative calm in broader financial markets, and it underscores the enduring appeal of gold as a safe-haven asset amid political and economic turbulence. Central to this dynamic is the evolving and often erratic trade policy rhetoric emanating from the United States, particularly from former President Donald Trump. As markets struggle to interpret shifting stances on tariffs and brace for consequential economic data, gold appears poised to continue its upward trajectory, supported by both technical and fundamental factors.

The reemergence of gold’s bullish momentum occurs against a backdrop of a moderating U.S. bond market. Last week’s surge in Treasury yields—a swift 50 basis point increase—has partially reversed, with the benchmark 10-year yield falling by approximately 10 basis points. This stabilization has provided a brief respite for investors, many of whom are digesting not only earnings reports from major U.S. corporations but also the ongoing ambiguity surrounding American trade policy.

Trump’s recent comments on adjusting the 25% tariffs on auto and auto parts imports from key partners such as Mexico and Canada have injected fresh uncertainty into the market. His administration’s exemptions for certain technology products, like smartphones and laptops, only added complexity, especially as these items remain subject to less severe 20% tariffs rather than the previously discussed 145% rate. Trump’s mention of impending tariff decisions on semiconductors further adds to the volatility.

Such unpredictability has clear implications for investor sentiment, which in turn sustains the allure of gold. As a non-yielding asset traditionally viewed as a hedge against economic instability, gold thrives during periods when policy inconsistency undermines market confidence. Moreover, the anticipation of further dovish shifts by the Federal Reserve amplifies this dynamic. Remarks from Fed Governor Christopher Waller this week highlighted the economic strain caused by tariff policies, suggesting that rate cuts might be necessary even in the face of persistent inflation. While some voices, like Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic, urge a wait-and-see approach, markets are pricing in substantial rate reductions—approximately 85 basis points by year’s end—with high confidence that rates will remain unchanged at the Fed’s next meeting in May.

Beyond the U.S., global factors are also reinforcing the upward pressure on gold prices. Chinese investors have significantly increased their holdings in physically backed gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in April, a trend confirmed by the World Gold Council. This inflow reflects both domestic economic concerns and a broader global appetite for risk hedging, particularly as China prepares to release its first-quarter GDP data. Monday’s announcement from China Customs, revealing a 12.4% year-over-year surge in exports for March, underscores the urgency with which Chinese exporters have responded to looming U.S. tariff hikes.

As gold continues its climb, technical indicators on the daily chart support the potential for further gains. Yet, this ascent remains contingent on several evolving narratives: Trump’s tariff proclamations, the Fed’s policy responses, and the tone of incoming macroeconomic data from China and beyond. In this complex and fluid environment, gold retains its timeless luster—not merely as a commodity, but as a barometer of global uncertainty.

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International News

WGC Central Bank Gold Statistics: Central Banks Resume Net Buying In April

Ninth Central Bank Gold Reserves Survey 2026 Will Be Released In June and Will Provide The Latest Insights Into The Central Banking Community’s Strategic Views On Gold As A Reserve Asset.

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Poland remained be the top buyer in the month (14t), while China intensified its pace of purchases: it’s t net purchase is the highest since December 2024 and extends its current buying run to 18 consecutive months. The Czech Republic shows similar consistency in purchases, having bought 3t in April, its 38th consecutive monthly purchase. Meanwhile, Russia continues its sales streak this month (6t), with y-t-d sales of 22t.

Reported activity in April and y-t-d was concentrated in: 

  • National Bank of Poland drove much of April’s buying activity, having bought 14t. This brings Poland’s y-t-d gold purchases to 45t with its gold reserves at 595t or about 30% of its total reserves.
  • People’s Bank of China added 8t to its gold reserves during the month, highest since December 2024. Official gold reserves now stand at 9% of total reserves or around 2,322t. China has been consistently purchasing gold over the past 18 consecutive months.
  • Czech National Bank’s modest but consistent 2t net purchases in April brings its gold reserves to 79t or 6% of its total reserves.
  • Meanwhile, Central Bank of Uzbekistan sold 1t this month, though on a y-t-d basis, it remains a net purchaser (24t) and is second only to Poland. Uzbekistan’s reserves make up 88% of its total reserves or around 414t.
  • Central Bank of Russia continued it recent streak of net sales for the fourth month with reported April net sales of 6t.
  • March’s top seller, Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey reported virtually flat gold reserves in April, with weekly data showing that short-term gold/USD swaps matured in April, leaving only longer-term (1-3 month) gold/USD swaps outstanding. More on Turkey’s recent reserve management operations can be found in our recently published Gold Demand Trends Q1 2026.
  • Eastern European and Asian central banks continue to dominate gold purchases with consistent purchases. Over the past 36 months, both regions have purchased 12t and 11t per month on average collectively. Global central banks activity shows average net purchases of 29t over the same period

Ninth Central Bank Gold Reserves Survey 2026 will be released in June and will provide the latest insights into the central banking community’s strategic views on gold as a reserve asset. In our survey in 2025, central banks held favourable expectations on gold with 95% of respondents indicating that global central bank gold reserves will increase over the next 12 months, this is compared to 81% of respondents indicating the same in our 2024 survey. 43% of respondents believe that their own gold reserves will also increase over the same period in 2025, compared to 29% of respondents in our survey in 2024.

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